Bristol City have confirmed head coach Liam Manning will take a leave of absence after the tragic passing of his recently born son.

Assistant coach Chris Hogg will take over all football duties in Manning’s absence.

Manning will take a leave of absence after the tragedyGetty

“Everyone at Bristol City Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Liam’s recently born son Theo John Manning,” a Bristol City statement read.

“We know that Bristol City’s supporters and the wider football family will share their condolences and deepest sympathy with Liam, his wife Fran and their son Isaac during this difficult period.

“Liam will take a period of absence, and all football duties will be carried out by Chris Hogg.

“We ask that the privacy of Liam and his family is respected during this time.”

Several clubs across the English football pyramid offered their condolences on social media, including Fulham, West Bromwich Albion, Bristol Rovers and Norwich City.

Hogg’s first game as stand-in manager for the Robins will be an away trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

It would represent Hogg’s first game in charge of a senior team having predominantly worked with academy teams at Ipswich Town and Newcastle from 2015 to 2020.

Hogg joined Manning’s coaching staff as an assistant at MK Dons in August 2021 and held the same role when he joined the latter at Oxford United in March 2023.

The pair lasted eight months with The U’s before they moved to Ashton Gate in November last year.

Under Manning, Bristol City finished 11th last season in the Championship and were eleven points outside of the playoffs.

Manning joined Bristol City in November last yearGetty

The 11th-place finish was the Robins’ best since the 2018-19 campaign when they finished an impressive eighth.

Manning’s side sit 16th on the table this term with 11 points from nine games thanks to two wins, five draws and two defeats.